Geography / ALL / Source: / Adapted from Southern California Earthquake Center
WORKPLACE EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST
PROBLEM
You can’t predict an earthquake; but you can prepare for one. And if you do, you have a much better chance of surviving the experience.
HOW TOOL HELPS SOLVE THE PROBLEM
The Checklist, which is adapted from a model from the Southern California Earthquake Center and the University of Southern California, outlines 7 sets of activities companies should take to prepare for an earthquake, along with the specific measures s each step requires to implement, including:
· Identifying and addressing potential hazards
· Creating a disaster plan
· Preparing disaster supplies kits
· Identifying and addressing potential weaknesses in your building
· Protecting yourself and workers during the actual earthquake
· Checking for injuries and damage after the earthquake
· Implementing your disaster plan after the immediate threat subsides.
Use this Checklist to assess the adequacy of your own earthquake preparations.
Top of Form
EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST
STEP 1: IDENTIFY POTENTIAL HAZARDS & BEGIN TO FIX THEM
[ ] Identify potential internal hazards
[ ] Identify potential external hazards
[ ] Create a “My Hazard List”
[ ] Identify critical business assets
[ ] Complete a Risk Assessment Matrix
[ ] Begin addressing hazards by starting on no/low cost items with high impact
STEP 2: CREATE A DISASTER PLAN
[ ] Complete Basic Plan
[ ] Create Employee Emergency Contacts List, i.e., contact information for critical employees to contact during an earthquake emergency
[ ] Develop Key Contacts List, i.e., contact info for key vendors, suppliers, customers and other businesses to contact during an earthquake emergency
[ ] Identify Critical Business Functions, i.e., operations necessary to fulfill legal, financial and business obligations
[ ] Identify Vital Records, i.e., the records you need to perform critical business functions
[ ] Identify Critical Equipment/Machinery, i.e., the equipment and machinery you need to keep your business functioning
[ ] Identify Recovery Locations, i.e., alternative sites from which you might be able to continue operations if earthquake makes it impossible to perform operations at your prime location
[ ] Develop a Life Safety — Emergency Response Team in case local EMT and emergency officials can’t respond during an earthquake
[ ] Maintenance and Testing, i.e., update your plan as the business changes
[ ] Collaborate on Your Plan
[ ] Educate workers about the Plan and their functions under it
[ ] Educate workers about Evacuation
[ ] Educate workers about Drop/Cover/Hold On Procedures
[ ] Educate workers about First Aid/CPR
[ ] Educate workers about Fire Extinguishers and Fire Safety
STEP 3: PREPARE DISASTER SUPPLIES KITS THAT INCLUDE
[ ] First aid kits/Medical supplies
[ ] Canned/packaged/ready to eat foods
[ ] Enough water for each person to have 1 gallon per day
[ ] Flashlights, batteries, lanterns and light sticks
[ ] Portable AM/FM radio and extra batteries
[ ] Portable TV and extra batteries
[ ] Basic tools such as hammers, wrenches and screw-drivers
[ ] PPE
[ ] Tarps and plastic sheeting
[ ] Portable stoves, grills and other food preparation equipment
[ ] Hygiene and sanitation supplies
[ ] Additional supplies
STEP 4: IDENTIFY YOUR BUILDING’S POTENTIAL WEAKNESSES BEGIN TO FIX THEM
[ ] Identify structural weaknesses
[ ] Contact outside experts if needed
[ ] Address structural issues if you lease
[ ] Address structural issue if you own the building
STEP 5: PROTECT YOURSELF AND EMPLOYEES DURING
EARTHQUAKE SHAKING —DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON
[ ] Know how to Drop, Cover and Hold On
[ ] Identify safe places
[ ] Keep safe places clear from hazards
[ ] Educate visitors what to do during an earthquake
STEP 6: AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE, CHECK FOR INJURIES DAMAGE
[ ] Activate trained workers after an earthquake
[ ] Address life safety
[ ] Care for injured
[ ] Address building and operations
[ ] Inspect the building exterior for damage and/or hazards
[ ] Inspect the building interior for damage and/or hazards
[ ] Perform a more detailed assessment of impacts to utilities, special equipment, etc.
[ ] Establish hub for communications
STEP 7: WHEN SAFE, CONTINUE TO FOLLOW YOUR DISASTER PLAN
[ ] Perform a more detailed assessment of operational issues
[ ] Communicate frequently with target groups
[ ] Consider recovery activities
[ ] Fully restore operations/production
[ ] Document lessons learned
[ ] Return to Step 1 to update plan
This tool and hundreds more available in the SafetySmart Compliance Toolbox at www.safetysmartcompliance.com